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Hampstead at Hackney Xs Tournament

Hampstead at Hackney Xs Tournament

User 19654205 Sep 2016 - 14:19
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Bright start to the season for Hampstead's club sides.

Hampstead’s “B team” had a tough but enjoyable tournament at the Hackney Xs, with some excellent rugby on show that bodes well for the upcoming season.

In an almost unprecedented display of commitment, most of the team arrived on time and there was even a run-through whilst all the other teams were still in the changing rooms. Hampstead boasted pace and/or power throughout their line-up and there was no shortage of commitment or physicality from all involved.

However, our first three matches against Hackney 1s, 2s and London French (the eventual winners who we were beating at half time) were all lost as Hampstead struggled to deal with the sheer size of some of their opposition. We should have beaten Hackney 2s; a brief period of poor tackling became our eventual undoing. Hampstead salvaged some pride with a resounding victory over London Japanese in their last match which featured some big defence and brilliant tries, most notably a searing fifty-meter run by Clem.

Despite playing excellent rugby, Hampstead were unable to match the sheer size of most of the teams played. Highlights included the opening try of the tournament; a flowing break from the Hampstead 22 took the ball from one touch-line to the other before Kris Britland touched down for a stellar score, as well as Luke Arnold’s mesmerising side-stepping try against London French and Leo Yorke’s hattrick against London Japanese.

Lowlights also abounded with Nick Craigen launching a kick off directly into the referee, Jim Oatley butchering a certain try after a lengthy and exhausting passage of play, and Hackney 2’s slowest player nearly pulling off an extraordinary kick-chase try.

Nevertheless, the standard of rugby delivered by Hampstead was extraordinarily high, following on from probably the best-preseason that the club sides have had for some time. Hampstead stands ready for the challenges of a new league with exciting players across the board. It’s going to be a great season.

Player of the tournament: Matt Milles for his tackling and carrying in all matches. Honourable mention to Simon Brown.

Tin man: Jim Oatley, see above.

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